This hearty Louisiana-style red beans and rice recipe is slow-simmered with smoky sausage, bold seasoning, and tender beans for deep, comforting flavor. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping, this dish gets even better the next day. A true Southern classic that delivers rich taste without complicated steps.
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Servings: 6 servings
• Ingredients
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans, rinsed and sorted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 14 ounces smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups water or chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Directions
- Soak red beans overnight in water, then drain and rinse before cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned; remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery for 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in soaked beans, cooked sausage, water or broth, Cajun seasoning, thyme, paprika, black pepper, salt, bay leaves, and hot sauce.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1½ hours, stirring occasionally.
- Mash a small portion of the beans against the side of the pot to naturally thicken the mixture.
- Continue simmering until beans are tender and creamy. Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Serve hot over cooked white rice and garnish with sliced green onions.
• Optional Tips / Variations
- Add diced ham hock or smoked turkey for deeper flavor.
- Make it spicy with cayenne pepper or extra hot sauce.
- Substitute brown rice for a healthier option or wonderful with out rice.
- This dish tastes even better after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
